Combination folding chair, bed, and hammock



Feb. 13, 1951 J. ocHoA 2,541,539

COMBINATION FOLDING CHAIR, BED, AND HAMMOCK Filed Oct. 2, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. JOSE OCHOA ATTORNEY.

Feb 13, 1951 J. OCHOA COMBINATION FOLDING CHAIR, BED, AND HAMMOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 2, 1946 INVENTOR. JOSE 00 H 0A A TTOENEY Patented Feb. 13, 1951 7 COMBINATION FOLDING CHAIR, BED, AND

HAMMOCK Jos Ochoa, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Doris Ochoa, San Francisco, Calif.

Application October 2, 1946, Serial No. 700,687

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates broadly to a combination folding chair, bed and hammock, and more particularly relates to a folding chair structure which may be transformed to provide a reclining hammock by which a large number of reclining provisions may be obtained, and which may also be employed as an exercising or therapeutic device.

Broadly, folding chairs which may be transformed into a bed are well known, but heretofore there has not been provided a folding chair structure which may readily and conveniently be adjusted to provide an extended stat of the nature commonly known as a chaise longue, a horizontal bed, a hammock adaptable to many positions, an exerciser device, and an upwardly inclined reclining table for specialized purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a folding chair structure which may be folded fiat for transportation or storage, in which seat and back portions may be adjusttd to selective positions when the chair is in use, which may be transformed to provide an extended chair, a bed, a reclining hammock of many varying positions, an exercising device, and a specialized inclined table, and to accomplish the said objects by structural parts which are simple and economical in manufacture and rugged in use.

With the for:going and other objects in View, which will be more apparent from this descrip tion, the invention consists of a combination chair, bed and hammock reclining device, one form of which is exemplified in the following description and accompanying drawings, it being understood that changes may be made in size, shape, form, material, degree and minor details, without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended v claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the invention in collapsed and folded form.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the invention with the parts relatively inclined at a hammock-forming position, and showing in broken lines an extended chair or chaise longue position.

Fig. 3 is a side view of a bed-forming position, and showing in broken lines another alternative position wherein a supporting flexible strip is shortened and made taut.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a chair-forming position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of enlarged detail of structure in folded position shown in other views.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged detail of structure of an extended leg rest portion shown in other views.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section of portions of frame members and of inter-engaging resilient frictional binding plates therefor.

Referring to the drawings in which like refernce characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, lo indicates generally the structure of the invention consisting of four frame parts, each of which comprises a pair of side pieces spaced and relatively connected by transverse cross members designated by sub-letters "(1 to the reference characters applied to the frame members. A backrest frame is designated II, and I2 indicates a base frame memher, while l3' is an extension frame member, and I4 is an adjustment frame back support. The back, base and extension frame members II, I2, and [3, have relative pivotal connections of corresponding side pieces on the oppositely disposed axially aligned pivot members [5 which pass through the corresponding side pieces of the back and base members substantially spaced from one end of such side pieces. The pivot members l5 also pass through the side pieces of extension member l3 closely adjacent one end thereof. These pivotally connected end portions of the corresponding side pieces of the frame members ll, l2, and I3 are referred to generally as the pivoted end portions thereof, and the respective opposite ends are referred to generally as the free ends. The relative positioning of the pivoted members ll, I2, and I3 is preferably with the backrest frame II on the outside, the extension member 13 on the inside, and the base member l2 in between said other two members, the said frames being adapted to fold on said pivot into the same general plane and flatly interfit, as illustrated in Fig. 1. 1

Intermediate its pivotal connection l5 and its opposite end, the backrest frame I I has pivotally connected thereto as at 16, the supporting frame member I4, the cross bar Ma of which is adapted to engage in and be releasably held by rearwardly inclined recessed notches I! which are relatively spaced along the upper edge portion of the side members of base frame 12. Obviously, by selectively changing the notch into which cross bar Ma is placed, the backrest frame may be raised and lowered. V

The side pieces of the backrest member are forked at their free ends as at [8 for receiving a removable roller bar 19, which may be fixed 3 against rotation or inadvertent removal by a pin 26 inserted through the forked end and the roller. Also it will be observed that the extreme forward end of the pivoted end portion of the base frame I2 is provided with a fork 2| for re ceiving a roller rod 22, a removable pin 23 serving to maintain the rod therein and prevent its rotation. Likewise the free end of the extension frame I3 is forked as at 24 for receiving a roller rod therein, a pin 25 likewise serving to maintain the roller therein and prevent its inadvertent rotation.

A flexible and rollable member 36, such as a strip of canvas or other textile or a flexible plastic, has on of its ends attached to the roller bar H3 at the free end of the backrest, the opposite end of the strip 30 being attached to the roller rod 22.

Thus to form a conventional chair, as in Fig. 4, the frames ll, l2, l3, and M are relatively positioned as in Fig. 4, and the roller rod 22 is inserted in the yoke 2! at the terminus of the pivoted end portion of the base frame 52. The flexible strip is rolled to an appropriate length on roller 22 to provide a length to the flexible member sufficient to reach from the top free end of the backrest to the forward end of the base frame member, plus enough to provide Whatever sag is desired in the flexible strip to suit the convenience and comfort of the particular user of the chair. Thus rolled, the roller rod 22 is placed in the forked notch 2! of the base member and stabilized against removal and rotation by passing pin 23' through the arms of the fork and the rod therein. The inclination of'the backrest may be adjusted to any of the positions available by means of the notches I1.

In forming a conventional chair the extension member l3 remains folded or disposed between the backrest frame I! and in the same lateral transverse plane as shown in Fig. 4.

When the extension member I3 is at a forwardly position, it is adapted to swing on the pivot l 5 to any position of adjustment from the ground line A back to its completely folded position as in Figs. 1 and 4.

If a chair with an extended seat or leg rest is desired, of the type commonlycalled a chaise longue, the backrest and base frame may remain in any of the selected positions for a chair, but the extension frame I3 is moved forward on the pivot l5-so that it extends forwardly from the said pivot, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 2, in which use the rod 22 is placed in the fork 24 at the free end of the extension member, the flexible strip being unwound from the roller rod and extended sufficiently to reach the free end of the extension member, whereupon the rod is placed in the forked notch 24 of the extension member and maintained therein by pins inserted therethrough.

If a hammock type of device is desired wherein both end portions of the device are inclined upwardly from a low central portion adjacent the central pivot 15, it is only necessary to dispose the cross bar of the adjustment frame M in any of the pairs of opposed notches H in order to provide the desired inclined position for the backrest, and also position the extension frame 93 at any desired upward angle of inclination.

Likewise to provide a bed as indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, the backrest frame l l and extension member 13 are adjusted with relation to the base support frame l2 so that the extreme free ends of the backrest frame I l and extension frame l3and the flexible member 30 therebetween, are all in substantially the same horizontal plane. If desired, the bed may be inclined so that the opposite ends of the flexible member 3i] are not in the same horizontal plane, such as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3.

In transforming the chair of Fig. 4 to any of the uses wherein the extension frame member is at a forward position, it is, of course, necessary to provide an additional length of the flexible member. This needed additional length is obtained by removing the rod 22 from the fork 2i and unrolling therefrom the needed additional length of flexible member, whereupon the rod 22 is inserted in the forked ends 24 of the extension member, wherein the rod may be rolled to provide a relatively tight fleXib-le member as would be desirable in the bed or the inclined table of Fig. 3, or to provide a surplus for sagging as in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2.

Any suitable means may be provided to stabilize or fix the extension member at a predetermined position relative to the othe frame members. One such means is illustrated herein as comprising an elongated bracket 3! to the side pieces of the base frame and extending substantially from the pivot l5 to the adjacent end of the base frame, and being provided with holes 32 which are so spaced as to register with corresponding holes 33 in the end portion of the extension member adjacent pivot i5. Similar holes 34 are provided in the forward end of the base frame member, and an additional hole may be provided by a socket or staple 35 on the under side of the side piece of the forward end of the base frame. When the holes of the extension member register with the holes of the said bracket, side piece and socket, a pin may be inserted to fix the extension member against relative movement, the holes of the bracket being employed when the extension member is above the side pieces of the base frame as in full lines of Figs. 2 and 3, the holes in the side pieces of the base member being employed when it is desired that the extension member shall be aligned as a continuation of the side pieces of the base frame, and

the socket 35 being employed when the extension member is below the side pieces of the base frame as shown by the position defined by broken lines in Fig. 2. If it is desired to lower the extension member below the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2, the free end of the extension member may rest upon the ground without other support.

Means are also provided as a support under the knees and ankles of a person in reclining position, since the sag of the flexible member may fail to provide desired support for the legs between the hips and feet. These supports may comprise cross thwarts Se and 31 which are positioned in the extension member 53, respectively, approximately longitudinally, centrally for the knee support 36; and adjacent the free end for the ankle support 31. The cross thwarts have end pieces 36a, and 31a turned downwardly at an angle thereto and by which the thwarts, when in use, may be spaced above the edges of the side members of the extension frame. These thwarts are pivotally connected to the side pieces of the extension frame l3 by pivots 36b, and 37b, and casual inadvertent movement may be prevented by interposed resilient friction plates 2-8 and 39. The thwarts may be moved to any position permitted by the pivotal mounting th reof, such as shown in dotted lines, to accommodate fo differences of position of a reclining person or for the varying length of limbs of different persons.

Also, when the device is employed as the conventional chair of Fig. i, and the extension member is folded within the sides of the backrest, thwarts of the knee and ankle rest-s 3 5, 32, may be moved to position on the opposite side of'thc extension frame whereby they are removed from interference with the backrest, whereas when the entire device is folded for storage or transportation, as in Fig. l, the thwarts may be folded within the plane of the side pieces of the frame as shown in Fig. 1.

In folding the device for transportation or storage, it will be noted from the enlarged detail of Fig. 5 that the free ends of the base support frame 12 and the extension frame !3 each are provided with insets 21) and 13b, respectively, which provide for the folding of said free ends against the cross bar l9 at the top of the backrest, whereby all frame members may be maintained within a general transverse plane of the side pieces of the folded frame members. The support frame member M has its side pieces of such length, and its position of pivotal mounting so disposed, that it will fold upward with its cross bar Ma extended beyond and transversely of the free ends of the other frame members. an additional hole, 43 may be provided in all of frame pieces for relatively registering one with the other when the frames are folded, and a pin may be inserted through said registering holes whereby all the folded frames may be conveniently held together one within the other. W hen so folded the flexible member 35! may be wound around both of the rods 13 and 22 and mounted at the free end of the backrest H, as is shown in Fig. 5.

The many possible angles of inclination of the frames relatively adapt the device to many uses in the various positions. For example, as a device shown by full lines in Fig. 2, it may be a reclining hammock in which the extension member is fixed by insertion of a pin in the registering holes 32 and 33. In the same fixed position it may be used in the therapeutic arts where it is desired to incline the legs upwardly; by removal of the pins from the holes 32, 33, the extension member may be swung upwardly and downwardly by the person reclining, such as for reducing exercises or to develop muscles of the abdomen. Likewise, as shown in Fig. 3, the horizontal bed position may be transformed to an inclined table or pallet by manipulation of the pins in holes 32, 33, where it is desired to have an inclined full-length posture, which may be desirable in the therapeutic practices or in certain beauty treatments.

By means of the adjustability of the length of the flexible member 30 on rod 22 and the interchangeability of the rod 22 from the forked ends of one member to another, the versatility of use of the device is multiplied many times.

While the leg rests 35 and 3? may be adjusted for varying leg lengths by inclining them as aforesaid, further adjustment of the spacing may be also accomplished, if desired, by provision of slots ll in which the pivot mountings of the leg rests may be selectively slidable longitudinally.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and patentable is:

1. A combined folding reclining device and chair comprising a back rest frame, a base frame and an extension frame, a single pivot means at each of the opposite sides of the device and adjacent one end of each of said frames for pivotally connecting the corresponding side pieces of all three of said frames for pivotal movement relative to each other, means for adjustably supporting the back frame at varying positions of pivotal movement relative to. the base frame, means for fixing the said extension frame at various pivoted positions relative to the back rest frame. and the base frame, a pair of cross bars having a flexirble member connected therebetween which, when mounted in said device, provides selectively a seat and reclining support therefor, said flexible member being adapted for rolling on one of said cross bars to adjust its length, the free end of the back rest frame having means for mounting one of said cross bars, and the free end portion of the extension frame and the pivoted end portion of the base frame having means for removably and interchangeably mounting the other of said cross bar members.

2. A combined folding reclining device and chair comprising a back rest frame, a base frame and extension frame, said frames being of Varying widths whereby they may be overlappingly folded one within another into the same general plane, a single pivot means at each of the opposite sides of said device and adjacent one end of each of said frames for connecting the corresponding side pieces of all three of said frames for pivotal movement relative to each other, means for adjustably supporting the back rest frame at varying positions of pivotal movement relative to the base frame, means for fixing the said extension frame at various pivoted positions relative to the back rest frame and the base frame, a pair of cross bars having a flexible mem ber connected therebetween which, when mounted in said device provides selectively a seat and reclining support therefor, the free end of the back rest frame having means for mounting one of said cross bars, and the free end portion of the extension frame and the pivoted end portion of the base frame each having means for remov ably and interchangeably mounting the other of said cross bar members.

3. In a device of the character described, which includes a pair of cross bar having a flexible member connected therebetween which, when mounted in said device, provides selectively a seat and reclining support therefor, the combination therewith of a plurality of frames comprising a back rest frame, a base frame and an extension frame, a pair of pivot means each of which connects corresponding side pieces of said frames for pivotal movement relative to each other, means for adjustably supporting the back rest frame at varying positions of pivotal movement relative to the base frame, means for fixing the said extension frame at various pivoted positions relative to the back rest frame and the base frame, the free end of the back rest frame having means for mounting one of said cross bar and the free end portion of the extension frame and the pivoted end portion of the base frame each having means for removably and interchangeably mounting the other of said cross bar members.

4. In a device of the character described which includes a pair of cross bars having a flexible member connected therebetween which, when mounted in said device, provides selectively a seat and reclining support therefor, the combination therewith of a plurality of frames comprising a back rest frame, a base frame and an extension frame, said frames being of varying widths whereby they may be overlappingly folded into the same general plane, a pair of pivot means each of which connects corresponding side pieces of said frames for pivotal movement relative to 7. each other, means for supporting the back rest frame at varying positions of pivotal movement relative to the base frame, means for fixing the said extension frame at various pivoted positions relative to the back rest frame and the base frame, the free end of the back rest frame having means for mounting one of said cross bars and the free end portion of the extension frame and the pivoted end portion of the base frame each having means for removably and interchangeably mounting the other of said cross bar members.

5. In a reclining device of the character described which includes a pair of cross bar members having a flexible member connected therebetween which, when mountedin said device, pro vides selectively a seat and reclining support therefor, the combination therewith of a plurality of frames comprising a back rest frame, a base frame and an extension frame, a single pivot means at each of the opposite sides of said device connecting and pivotally mounting the corresponding side pieces of all three of said frames adjacent one end of each of said frames, means for fixing the said extension frame at various pivoted positions relative to the back rest frame and the base frame, said extension frame having transverse support intermediate the ends of the extension frame for supporting the limbs of a user reclining in the device, the free end of the back rest frame having means for mounting one of said cross bars, and the free end of the extension frame and the pivoted end portion of the base frame each having means for removably and interchangeably mounting the other of said cross bar members.

6. In a device of the character described which includes a pair of cross bars having a flexible member connected therebetween which, when mounted in said device, provides selectively a seat and reclining support therefor, the combination therewith of a plurality of frames cornprising a back rest frame, a base frame and an extension frame, a single pivot means at each of the opposite sides of the device connecting and pivotally mounting the corresponding side pieces of all three of said frames adjacent one end of the frames, means for fixing the said extension frame at various pivoted positions relative to the back rest frame and the base frame, and

transverse support means intermediate the ends of the extension frame having pivotal end mountings whereby the transverse support may be raised from the plane of the extension frame for supporting the limbs of a user reclining in said device, the free end of the back rest frame having means for mounting one of said cross bars, and the free end portion of the extension frame and the pivoted end portion of the base frame each having means for removably and interchangeably mounting the other of said cross bar members.

7. In a combined reclining device and chair having a pair of cross bars connected by a flexible member, the combination therewith of a p1urality of elongated frames comprising a back rest frame, a base frame and an extension frame, said frames being of varying widths and lengths whereby the frames may interfit for overlappingly folding in the same general plane, the corresponding side pieces on the opposite sides of the respective three frames being relatively overlying at a pivotal point, a single pivot means on each of said opposite sides of said frames passing through the three overlying side pieces at said opposite pivot points, each of said frames having on one end thereof means for mounting one of said cross bars, said last mentioned means being at the pivoted end portion of the base frame and being at the free end portion of each of the back rest frame and the extension frame, and said means in the base frame and the extension frame being adapted and arranged for interchanging therein one of said cross bars.

JOSE OCI-IOA.

REFERENCES one];

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 327,686 Horton Oct. 6, 1885 1,875,478 Miles Sept. 6, 1932 2,011,874 Ricketts Aug. 2-0, 1935 2,234,571 Brandon Mar. 18, 19i1 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 131,580 Great Britain Sept. 2, 1920 

